Connecting With Others Helps Us Move Forward
Many things in the news lately have me thinking about the many aspects of life in which the power to affect change is in numbers. The most obvious example currently is voter participation in…
No Good Excuse — Sean Baumstark
Sean lives with Friedreich’s ataxia and embodies the mantra “get stuff done.” He believes excuses hold us back from being our best. He is the founder of de:terminence, a nonprofit helping disabled individuals experience the beauty and power of physical achievement. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast, “Two Disabled Dudes,” which encourages listeners to “live beyond circumstances.” He lives and works in Sacramento, California.
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How I Manage Mental Health With FA’s Progressive Nature in Mind
I met a friend for dinner recently, and we talked about the changes I’ve observed in my capabilities in the last several months. Not only did we have a pleasant conversation, but in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we…
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Using Our Voices to Aid Research and Prompt Change
I’ve had the privilege of making a lot of friends in the rare disease community since becoming a member myself. I’ve had many conversations about the day when someone knew something wasn’t right, and about the day…
Focusing on One Thing at a Time
I recently wrote about the importance of developing habits and disciplines that will help us move toward particular goals and objectives. Although that isn’t a new or jaw-dropping concept, actually taking action…
Small Lessons Can Be Learned by Addressing Big Issues
The year 2020 will mark stories of history for generations to come. This year continues to call attention to areas of opportunity, shortcomings, and perhaps failures across many areas of life — from global economic concerns to…
Push to Get the Results You Want
I’m confident we can all agree: We have no idea what tomorrow may hold. Whether we are talking about the stock market, our individual health, or simply the weather, many things can change drastically from…
Stay on Point and Avoid Distractions
An underlying principle keeps revealing itself to me through many different things. I’ve heard the principle said in multiple ways, namely phrases such as “stay the course,” “stay on mission,” and “remain focused.” There are…
I Can’t Live in the Past, but Can’t Ignore It Either
A year ago, I wrote about the yearly calendar’s halfway point being a great time to check in on my annual goals and the routines I employ to accomplish them. Although we…
Remembering that Other People’s Opinions Matter
I’m certain there are many things everyone can agree on: Planet Earth is round, what goes up must come down, and pineapple does not belong on pizza. You see, inarguable, right? Although many might agree,…
Life Is Fragile, So Handle with Care
As I write this, I just received word that a friend and co-worker passed away in his sleep last night. Unbelievable shock consumed me for several moments. My friend was in his early 30s…
Remembering What Matters During the Pandemic
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to loom over the globe, our concerns and worries seem to increase as well. What started for many as an issue in some faraway region of…
Don’t Forget About Self-care During the Pandemic
There’s never a “good time” for the world to face a pandemic, or for a region or community to deal with such a significant threat to our health and lives. I suppose we can do or could…
Not All Decisions Should Be Rooted in Money
I feel like I’ve recently made a huge decision. To some, my choice may be a no-brainer, but others may relate to the tug of war I’ve had with myself. Whether you can relate or not, if…
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